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Energy Literacy: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature

Author

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  • Oscar S. Santillán

    (Subdirección de Negocios de Redes, Dirección Corporativa de Operaciones, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Río Ródano #14, 7mo. piso, Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad de México 06598, Mexico
    Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Priv. Xochicalco s/n, Col. Centro, Temixco 62580, Mexico)

  • Karla G. Cedano

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Priv. Xochicalco s/n, Col. Centro, Temixco 62580, Mexico)

Abstract

Amidst the global energy crisis, governments are pursuing transitions towards low-carbon energy systems. In addition to physical infrastructure, political and regulatory enablers, and knowledge and capacities, changes in the energy systems require an energy-literate citizenship. Energy literacy is the understanding of how energy is generated, transported, stored, distributed, and used; awareness about its environmental and social impacts; and the knowledge to use it efficiently. The objective of the study is to provide a systematic review of the literature concerning energy literacy. In the methodology followed, the 138 papers found were categorized and subcategorized according to the research field and the main research objective, respectively. The papers are later described together with similar studies. Results show that most of the work performed around energy literacy addresses its evaluation among different groups, particularly students at different levels, and the construction, application, and evaluation of tools for improving energy literacy. Also studied are the influence of energy literacy in decision-making, its drivers, and conceptual research about the topic. The discussion highlights the debate on the link between energy-literate persons and efficient energy use, the under-researched areas of energy literacy, and the key role of energy literacy in addressing the energy crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Oscar S. Santillán & Karla G. Cedano, 2023. "Energy Literacy: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:21:p:7235-:d:1266485
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blasch, Julia & Boogen, Nina & Filippini, Massimo & Kumar, Nilkanth, 2017. "Explaining electricity demand and the role of energy and investment literacy on end-use efficiency of Swiss households," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(S1), pages 89-102.
    2. Blasch, Julia & Filippini, Massimo & Kumar, Nilkanth, 2019. "Boundedly rational consumers, energy and investment literacy, and the display of information on household appliances," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 39-58.
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    5. He, Shutong & Blasch, Julia & van Beukering, Pieter & Wang, Junfeng, 2022. "Energy labels and heuristic decision-making: The role of cognition and energy literacy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    6. Numminen, Sini & Ruggiero, Salvatore & Jalas, Mikko, 2022. "Locked in flat tariffs? An analysis of electricity retailers’ dynamic price offerings and attitudes to consumer engagement in demand response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
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    9. Reis, Inês F.G. & Gonçalves, Ivo & Lopes, Marta A.R. & Antunes, Carlos Henggeler, 2022. "Towards inclusive community-based energy markets: A multiagent framework," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    10. Filippini, Massimo & Kumar, Nilkanth & Srinivasan, Suchita, 2020. "Energy-related financial literacy and bounded rationality in appliance replacement attitudes: evidence from Nepal," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 25(4), pages 399-422, August.
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